Marginalization: Idoma people will exit Benue State – Obla, SAN insists 

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The former Chairman of Otukpo local government council and Senior Advocate of Nigeria,  SAN, Godwin Obla, has stated that the Idoma people will exit Benue State due to marginalization.

Obla, who stated this while fielding questions from newsmen at the weekend, said even though the Idoma people constitute a senatorial district, it does not have a say in the affairs of the state since its creation in 1976.

He regretted that the Tiv people who constitute two senatorial districts in the state are doing exactly what they complained against during the defunct Benue Plateau state.

His words: “We are more than ripe to have a state.  The history of the Idoma people is an unfortunate history, we are one of the few ethnic groups of the rich history that has been needlessly, needlessly and wickedly marginalised

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“It doesn’t make sense that in a state that was created in 1976, that of the three senatorial districts , idoma people constitute a nation in one of the districts and the two other senatorial districts do not feel that the Idoma people should have a say in the governance of the state.

” It means we are not wanted in the state. and if we are not wanted in the state it means we need a state of our own. 

“We are all nationalists, we are unrepentant about it. 

,”It is unfair that what is happening in Benue State today is exactly what the leadership of the Tiv people are wanting a separation from the former Benue Plateau state. 

“And that’s what is happening today and it’s unfair.

 “So, we want to exit benue state, we want our own state. We are not just a people, we are a nation and we are unrepentant about it.” He stressed.